Having graduated from the University of Malta after completing his Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) Degree in 2011, Kris Bartolo joined Zampa Debattista in 2014, a few months after the firm was founded, following four years as an audit senior at a medium-sized audit and accountancy firm. 

Last January, he was appointed Partner, having served within Zampa Debattista’s senior management structures for the past few years.

“I joined Zampa Debattista as an audit manager focusing on the management of audit and assurance assignments of local and international clients, operating in various sectors, including wealth management, remote gaming, shipping, manufacturing and retail as well as pension funds,” he explains, noting that over the years, his work experience evolved to cover company valuations, management reporting and advice assignments relating to fiscal incentives and the implementation of IFRS requirements.

Commenting on his recent appointment, the Partner believes that the role “will ensure further specialisation at Zampa Debattista”, with the focus of the accounting advisory team continuing to add value to clients by proving valuable financial advice to the firm’s business partners – their clients –  whilst ensuring professional development of the human capital, which he describes as “our most valuable asset.”

Mr Bartolo is also a visiting lecturer of audit and assurance and financial reporting within various educational bodies in Malta. Detailing his time as a part-time lecturer of Corporate Reporting at the advanced stages of the ACCA course – also having delivered courses related to audit and financial reporting over the years – he says, “the pros of lecturing are endless... not only do you keep abreast of topic-related developments, but also meet other members and contribute towards the profession.”

Turning his attention to Zampa Debattista’s recent rebranding, Mr Bartolo explains that, six years after Zampa Debattista was founded, the team felt that their image had to grow at par with the company. “Together with a leading advertising agency in Malta, we set out to develop this new image that will lead us into the years to come. We feel that this new image embodies our true company values of integrity, honour and above all, passion, which has been the driving force behind the partners and employees alike to make our brand grow,” he reveals.

To raise the profession with integrity, honour and passion, Mr Bartolo highlights the firm’s fundamental principles. The first is ‘No Excuses’,  he says, attesting that “we need to be on top of things and take the lead to provide our clients the value they have learnt to expect. Naturally, we learn from mistakes but we deliver to the highest standards without excuses.”

The next principle the team lives by is ‘Go Further’, of which Mr Bartolo says, “whether it is through the depth that we pursue technically in our specialisations, or in the detail that we focus on, going the extra mile is what makes us different.”

Finally, ‘Always with Integrity’ is the firm’s third fundamental principle. “At Zampa Debattista, honesty and integrity are key, not because it is good for reputation, but because it is the right thing to do,” the Partner maintains.

Notwhitstanding their specialisation in indirect taxation and financial reporting, Mr Bartolo explains that since its inception, Zampa Debattista has grown to become a 360-degree business advisory firm, offering a comprehsive range of services while maintaining its original, small firm’s personal approach. Owing to this, the team is well placed to assist start-ups, both in terms of availing of fiscal incentives in order to achieve their goals and handling their finances.

“Any start-up can focus on implementing its business idea while ensuring that we deliver value for their financial reporting needs,” Mr Bartolo says, affirming that, “in addition to providing quality service to meet regulatory requirements, we can assist start-ups by identifying opportunities and ensuring that businesses tap into any available funding or avail of any potential financial incentives to exploit potential and help companies grow.”